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Transcript/ScriptBlinken-Mideast-Iran
HEADLINE: Blinken Seeks to Reassure Mideast Allies About Iran
TEASER: US Secretary of State is visiting region and North Africa to boost relations amid uncertainty over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
PUBLISHED AT: 3/29/22, 9:25 pm
BYLINE: Cindy Saine
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Holly Franko, DJ OK, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Saine Skype video interviews, AFP, AP, Reuters, VOA file
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:13
VID APPROVED BY: Holly Franko
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO: ))
[[U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is seeking to reassure Israel and Gulf state leaders that reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal is the best way to make sure Tehran never gets a nuclear weapon. After leaving Israel, Blinken visited Morocco Tuesday, as VOA's senior diplomatic correspondent Cindy Saine reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken laid out his reasons for visiting the Middle East and North Africa, even as the U.S. is focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
((Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State))
"This is a part of the world where the United States has vital interests and some of our closest friends. The United States will continue to invest in the region, strengthening the relationships that are central to stability in the Middle East and North Africa, making progress on enduring challenges, broadening opportunities for our people, and at the same time staying focused on ending the Kremlin's war of aggression.”
((NARRATOR))
Blinken visited Morocco on Tuesday, where he also met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. One expert told VOA that the North Africa region will be particularly vulnerable to the economic fallout from the Russian invasion.
[[Radio Intro: Brian Katulis, a senior fellow with the Middle East Institute, via Skype.]]
((Brian Katulis, Middle East Institute)) ((Mandatory Skype Courtesy))
“I think in part because North Africa will be the location that is already feeling a lot of the pressure economically and socially from some of the food and energy price increases. And if you recall, you know, it was a little over a decade ago that there were popular uprisings that led to revolutions and unrest that in part were linked to also increases in commodity prices at the time. So I think this is an ounce of diplomatic prevention to try to coordinate and see if we could offer some support.”
((NARRATOR))
On his first stop, Israel, Blinken sought to reassure allies in the region that the U.S. is committed to not allowing Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
((Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State))
“The United States believes that the return to full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best way to put Iran's nuclear program back in the box that it was in but has escaped from since the United States withdrew from that agreement.”
((NARRATOR))
The Biden administration has been working to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which placed curbs on Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Former President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal in 2018.
Experts say one remaining unresolved issue is that Iran wants its paramilitary Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps removed from the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations. Israel and most Republican lawmakers oppose such a step, as one expert explains.
[[Radio intro: Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, via Skype.]]
((Behnam Ben Taleblu, Foundation for Defense of Democracies)) ((Mandatory Skype Courtesy))
“Given the Biden administration is selling this as a nuclear-only deal and it's not restricting Iran's terrorism apparatus, ballistic missile, cruise missile, drone capabilities or the rest of its asymmetric military capabilities and other threats to U.S. partners or to U.S. security in the region, it makes no sense to offer non-nuclear sanctions relief under the terrorism rubric or the ballistic missile rubric. But that, unfortunately, seems to be the path, the pending course the administration is on.”
((NARRATOR))
Iran says an agreement to revive the nuclear deal is imminent, but U.S. officials have been more cautious, saying thorny issues remain.
Cindy Saine, VOA News
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 29, 2022 21:59 EDT
BylineCindy Saine, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
